A 31-year-old traveling psychiatric nurse in Alaska is accused of brutally stabbing her 78-year-old landlord to death inside his home — and police say she admitted to the killing.
John “Skip” Dove Jr., a Vietnam War veteran known for his magnetic personality and kindness, was found dead on Aug. 5 in his Soldotna home with multiple stab wounds. His tenant of three months, LaShaunda Lewis, has been charged with first- and second-degree murder.
According to an arrest affidavit, police had visited the home just a day earlier for a welfare check after Lewis’ family reported she was acting strangely during a phone call. Officers say Lewis told them she needed a psychiatric evaluation but declined to go.
The next day, troopers returned after a 911 call and found Lewis naked, bleeding from self-inflicted injuries. While she was being taken to a medical facility, officers discovered Dove’s body on the floor. Lewis allegedly told investigators she killed him but claimed she couldn’t remember all the details, saying there had been a “struggle.”
Investigators also found a disturbing video on Dove’s phone in which Lewis can be heard whispering, “help me” and “he tried to kill me.”
Dove’s death has left his family and friends reeling. His brother, Peter Dove, described him as someone with “a gift from God” for connecting with people. “He didn’t know a stranger,” longtime friend Chuck Winters said. “He could talk to anyone.”
Lewis remains in custody. Court records show no plea has been entered.
